Attachment for fastening tables to automobile instrument panels



June 6, 1950 w. E. TRAMMELL 2,510,436

ATTACHMENT FOR FASTENING TABLES T0 AUTOMOBILE INSTRUMENT PANELS Filed Nov. 19, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR BY wm. E. .TRAMMELL ATTORNEYS.

June 6, 1950 w. E. TRAMMELL 2,510,436

ATTACHMENT FOR FASTENING TABLES TO AUTOMOBILE INSTRUMENT PANELS Filed Nov. 19, 1946 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR.

WM. E. TRAMMELL BY CQWMMT ATTORNEYS Patented June 6; 1950 ATTACHMENT FOR FASTENING TABLES T AUTOMOBILE INSTRUMENT PANELS William Earnest Trammell, Atlanta, Ga. Application November 19, 1946, Serial No. 710,868

1 Claim.

The invention relates to tables which may be supported by a bracket arm secured to any desired structure by means having substantially universal movement.

It is an object of the invention to provide a structure of the class referred to particularly adaptable to use in vehicles, as automobiles or buses.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a table of a tray character which may be folded out of the way when not in use.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a table of the character referred to that may be adjusted for height as well as for level and securely clamped in adjusted position.

Further objects will appear from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing showing an illustrative embodiment of the invention and wherein:

Figure 1 shows a table embodying the invention and secured to an automobile dash;

Fig. 2 is a vertical transverse section of the structure of Figure 1 showing the bracket arm and one socket in elevation; and

Fig. 3 is a view from the rear of the structure of Figure 1 showing the device folded under the automobile dash.

For purpose of illustration, the device is shown as applied to an automobile dash H) by the provision of a c clamp H with a wing bolt 12, the clamp being shown as applied to the back-turned edge l3 of the automobile dash It]. To support the bracket arm l4 upon the O clamp, the latter is formed with a socket H3 in the manner similar to that shown for socket 16 shown as directly supporting the table top H.

As shown, the socket is split and a clamp screw I8 is provided to cause the split socket to clamp the ball head l9 or 20 seated in the socket.

Movable hand levers 2| are shown to fix the parts in position. The table I! is shown as secured to the socket member 22 by screws. It is obvious that the socket ll may be given various forms in accordance with the structure upon which the table is to be supported.

The supporting socket ll instead of having the c clamp may have a base similar to the socket 22 as shown, which base may be screwed to a vertical surface as for instance to the back of the front seat of an automobile and may be folded by swinging the table to a vertical position and then swinging the arm l4 until the table lies flat against the back of the seat to which the socket is secured.

To fold the table when supported in the manner shown in Figure 1, the table may be lowered about the socket I and then may be swung about means to the vertical portion 23 of arm M to the position shown in Fig. 3 where it will underlie the instrument board and be out of the way although ready for immediate use.

When the device is in the position shown in Figure 1, it may be raised or lowered by moving the arm M in the plane of its horizontal element with movement of the ball H3 in socket 15. When so adjusted, the tray may be leveled with movement of ball 20 in socket l6 and the parts may be clamped in their adjusted positions by virtue of the bolts 18 and the levers 2|.

Minor changes may be made in the physical embodiments of the invention within the scope of the appended claim without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

A table structure for attachment to an automobile dash comprising, in combination: a 0 clamp for engagement with a dash margin, and formed with a downwardly opening, divided ball socket; means to constrict said socket to clamp a ball member therein; a table supporting arm having an upwardly directed end portion terminating in a ball for reception in said socket, and a laterally extending portion projecting at an angle to said end portion; said arm having an upwardly extending opposite end portion; a jointball carried by the last named end portion; a tray member; a divided, downwardly opening ball socket member formed with a base extending at substantially a right angle with the axis of the socket of the member; said base secured to a tray member; said last named ball engaged in the last named downwardly opening socket, constrict said last named socket to clamp the last named ball; whereby saidarm carrying the tray may be adjusted relatively to the horizontal and with the tray standing in a plane lower than the dash margin may be swung about a vertical axis to a position below the instrument panel.

WILLIAM EARNEST TRAMMELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

